Stigmata,
is being compared to Rosemary's Baby and The Exorcist, but not because of
its originality, brilliants or even its attempt to scare us. The only comparison here
begins and ends at the subject matter. The Stigmata are bleeding wounds on five points of
the body that mirror the injuries suffered by Christ during his crucifixion. When, Frankie
(Patricia Arquette) a 23-year old Pittsburgh hairdresser begins to suffer the wounds of
the Stigmata, a priest (Gabriel Byrne) is summoned to investigate. Both the priest and
Frankie end up re-examining their faith. The buzz on Stigmata is that the story defies
logic and that Patricia Arquette's performance is weak when compared to that of Linda
Blair in The Exorcist. Still, fans of the genre and those looking for a scare will
probably enjoy this movie.

Dustin
score = 90
A great movie! One of the best I've seen in a while. It does a
great job of getting your attention and keeping it until the very end.
The direction was also fantastic!

ShawnDel
score = 10
I think it's about time someone went out and tried to open our eyes to the
real truth. This won't be the last thriller-religous move we're going to be
seeing. This is the only way they seem to be getting our attention and
keeping it!

ciprian
score = 90
I cannotbelive what others say about this movie - "lack of
originality", or HORROR - are they blind? For me it is a pure example
of the opposite - a new turn towards the "deep social - philosophic
movies" - of course for those who have a mind to see it. Plus I find
this movie as a road opener - if you have never felt the social(religious,
political or otherwise)clench on you, than I guess you deserve to just leave
your pathetic fate. I think this movie must be watched at least twice in
order to get to the deeper meaning and then we should all start wondering
...

Noel
The lack of original movie scrips in Hollowood has become increasingly evident in recent
years. Stigmata is a clasic example. As some other movie critics may have pointed out by
now, it's a 90's version of the exsorcist with no element of surprice at all. Half way
through the movie I knew what the ending would be like. That is only one of the reasons I
am not a movie guy anymore, or at least, not as much as I used to be. People wants
something different, original, or novel in a movie. That may explain why start wars,
the blair witch project and the mattrix have been such mega succeses.

Unknown1

score -> 90

I don't get what
everyone has against this movie. Are all of the film critics alive unable to grasp the
tiniest philosophical concept? Maybe they're all just Catholic. This was an excellent
film. Gorgeous cinematography and an upbeat pace ensure it's fun to watch, and the
anti-disestablishmentarianism (it's a real word) concepts make it more than worth
thinking about. The tv trailers for it are terribly misleading however. Why, oh why, are
they marketing it as a run-of-the-mill horror movie?? Stigmata is much, much more.

Mr. Matinee

score -> 50

Worth seeing at a
matinee (give it a 50 maybe). Not a terrible film, pace was two slow for my taste.

Unknown2

score ->
100

A definite
must-see! I loved this movie. not only did it scare the heck out of me, but it had a great
story plot, terrific actors, and the graphics were so real you could almost feel the
wounds appearing on you. Again, a definite must-see!

Mr. Brains

score -> 90

Only really for
those with an ounce of intelligence. The depth of the story is unusual for films
these days. Good performances and direction make this a movie to remember, and fodder for
hours of discussion. submit.

Unknown3

score = 80
This was a very good film. I awoke at 4am that night to use the bathroom and found
myself looking around nervously to be sure nobody else was there! Patricia Arquette
rocks and Gabriel Byrne was hus usual sublime self. Worth exactly the 7.75 I paid to get
in.

Rael
score = 100
I'm from P.R..This is a great movie with great performances. The graphics impress me a lot
because you feel the pain that inflicted the movie. I lot of people thought stigmata wasnt
real until they saw the movie and started to find information about this DON. The movie is
scary but more scariest is that this is real and it could happen to anyone. Quizas tu seas
el proximo!

Callicrates
score = 80
Don't listen to the career critics above. Stigmata is worth seeing. The bad: This movie
had a great drama inside it, but the producers seemed to demand the horror aspect by
flinging the occasional loud, shaky camera scenes which have become trite and meaningless.
The good: Intelligent idea, plot, and script (It could have been a tad longer, however).
Good acting (the complaints above are unfounded). Bryne is excellent as always. It has a
message (that unfortunately few will take with them).

Unknown4

score = 80
Great use of accurate religious facts. Well acted and fine use of locations add to the
atmosphere of the subject. I recommend this movie to anyone who wants to be scared, but
also wants intellegent and thought provoking content.

Lui
score = 90
Original story with an unpredictable sorty line. Entertaining, thought provoking and well
done.

Unknown5

score = 100
This movie is so action packed. you never know what is going to happen next. I admit i was
frightened after watching this movie.

Unknown6

score = 60
I thought that this movie had some pretty intense scenes and was pretty well acted
overall. If you like horror films and are willing to sit back and enjoy them instead of
overanalyzing every little nuance of the story then you should be in for a good time at
stigmata.

Angel
score = 100
I could not wait to see this movie and when I saw it I was not disappointed. I loved
the plot and the special effects. Like others I am amazed that someone would not
like this film. Before I went to sleep every little noise scared me, because of what
I saw in the film.

"b"
score = 90
the movie was excellent!!!! it was quite chilling

Melissa
score = 100
I saw the movie yesterday, and I must say that I haven't seen such a good movie in a long
time!! You must see it!!

Unknown7

score = 100
All that I will say is this, look through the reviews and you will notice one simple
trend... None of the people that bash on this film can spell for

Jason
score = 100
I will agree with the consensus that this may not be the most original movie ever to cross
the silver screen, however, I was completly enthralled from the moment it started until
the very end. One vital comparison(in regards to the exorcist) that Ebert neglected
to mention is the simple fact that there are in fact there have been actual documented
cases that have been recorded. It's the same old Freddy Krueger crap. I have
been on the net and checking encyclopedias since the moment I got through the front door.
I managed to glide through high school and five semesters of college without any
research whatsoever!

bio_hazar
score = None
I saw this film and I am asking to my self: did they realy find that kind of book...

Bridget
score = None
I doubt very much that Hollywood is able to perceive the beauty of the gift of the
stigmata, or the beauty of the people who have received it directly from God, such as St.
Francis of Assisi, and Blessed Padre Pio of Pietrelcina. Maybe if they looked them up,
they might learn something real about this phenomenon.

Callie
score = 70
Actually, the movie didn't scare me at all. It wasn't at all about Satan. It
didn't have any demonic tones. I think you have to see past what was being portrayed.
The evil I interpreted from the movie was "money". Basically,
Houseman (sp) did not want the true writings of Jesus to surface because of the amount
money that would be lost as a whole to the Catholic society. Frankie's character was
a vessel for a priest that died, but knew the true secrets (fictional or not).

Unknown8

score = 90
A little much on pop culture side of things at times, but it had incredible emotion,
acting and cinematography.

EMN
One must not view this movie as just a "thriller". Initially, I went into the
movie for the horror, however, by the end of the movie, I dumbfounded by how well the
movie captured the reality of "faith in God" today. So, think of the message...
because that should be enough to scare anybody...

A+
score = 100
Im sick of all these over analytic movie critics. If you haven't seen the movie don't let
the critics sway you. Stigmata was awesome! Aside from possible theological inaccuracy,
this was a terrifying and wonderfully constructed film.Settting,content,characters,and
sound work in unison to not only scare you but leave you thinking long after you left the
theater.A Must See!!!!

Bob
score = 30
The Movie wasen't all that it was cut up to be. Though it had its moments, but I gues that
if you diden't watch the boring parts you wouldent understant the rest of the story.

Justin
I personally thought this movie was damn good. Slow in parts, but those slow times
were good to think about what was going on...because the movie was deep. I'm
thinkin' that this movie is trying to show how foolish people are to waste time and MONEY
going to church, when God is really suppost to be inside you. I explained that in
one sentence, but that's a deep thought since churches are the biggest money makers in the
world!! Ground breaking movie, not a run-off.

Candi
Religous or not this film is very fascinating, informational, and sad, but true. It made
me feel sad to see the pain that Jesus went through and to think... He Did It All For Us.
It's fascinating to know that the Stigmata really does effect some people in the world. It
gives a very important message that more people should think about these days. And most of
all it WILL scare the shit out of you.

Unknown9

score = 100
It's a movie that makes you get interested in stuff about Jesus in the past.

Unknown10

Hey, although the
film lacks some refinement, particularly in the writting dept. Still i am absolutely
amazed that this film was not somehow barred from its distribution, seeing as how the
theme of the movie, is nothing less than a condemnation of the Catholic Church! J.E. 7
months before his world shattering revelation...

Jon
Esparza
score = 60
I finally went to see this movie. I have been kind of busy working on
something...Anyway,while the film could use some improvement, particularly in the script
dept. I still enjoyed it and more than anything wish to commend the filmakers and all of
the open-minded people out there who helped this film get to the theater. This probably
wouyld not have been allowed, at any other time than now, because as we near the
millenium, it knows that its time is very fleeting... The movie Stigmata, is a simple
condemnation of the Catholic Church. J.E. 7 months before the big announcement....

Unknown11

score = 90
I thought that this movie had great camera shots and that the content made you think.
I thought it was a great movies

malu_balu
score = 100
I REALLY ENJOYED THIS MOVIE IT'S AS GOOD AS THE SIX SENCE I THINK THESE TWO MOVIES ARE THE
BEST.

Stigmata
score = 90
I think this movie was great. It left me feeling, undescribably really. I'm not a very
religious person so it wasn't quite like that, I just thought it was well put together and
a good story line. I would recommend everyone see it at least once.

anonomous
score = 90
How can the critics be so blind as to rate this movie as the same old thing?
If people took a little more time to understand the concept and philosophy
of the movie as opposed to shrugging it off as a 90's version of the
exorcist, they might realise that the whole concept of Christianity is in
question. It is amazing to think how much has been hidden from the world
about the Dead Sea Scrolls phenomena and what might actually be in there.
Belief in Christ is one thing but to believe in the myths that surround him
is another- the film achieves what it sets out to do, and that is to
question the view of faith by exploding the myth of stigmata appearing on a
non religious person and how the evidence of Christianity is so unstable,
quite possibly the dead sea scrolls hold some information that the church do
not wish to expell.

Uknown333

score
= 90

AMAZING
HAD ME SITTING ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT AND HIDING BEHIND MY HANDS, IT ALSO
ANSWERED ALOT OF MY QUESTIONS ABOUT FAITH

sara
score = 80
Beautiful representation of images for the story and concept, i think it was
pretty good

Carlos
score = 90
I liked the movie very much. It's really interesting and fantastic for me.
But I don't understand totaly the argument fo the movie. For example, I
don't know why is happening to Frankie all about the stigms. If you could
send me some information about all the film I would be very happy. By. cvalero@latinmail.com

jake
score = 90
anyone who is a catholic would rate this film low because they dont have the
balls to admit the truth about a stigmata,or christ himself.frankly i think
its ***** and religion is best left alone!!

Unknown555
score = 100
although the movie is somewhat offset by modern depictions of movie magic.
the movie delivers a underlining msg about religious beliefs.what an
interesting movie worth seeing twice

john
score = 70
I loved the movie the exsorcist so i knew that i would be into this movie,
but this movie just was not graphic enough nor scary enough to even touch
the exsorcist. I still loved it and recomend seeing it.

Armando
score = 100
Very nice movie I was just amazed of it and it has my vote for movie of the
year

ARV
score = 90
I dont understand why everyone is comparing this film to the exorcist, it is
nothing even close. The exorcist was basically about demonic possession
where this film is about a priest using a womans body as a messenger to
spread the real word of Jesus that the churches have been covering up for
centuries. This movie should not be looked at as a horror flick but rather a
movie about faith and corruption. What it does is make you realize that it
doesnt matter how many days you sit in a church, believing in your heart is
what makes a person spiritual. If you have the intelligence to not just
accept what is said and think for yourself you'll love this movie.

bob
score = 100
this is the best movie and i think Patricia Arquette played a better part
then Linda Blair. that movie is very realistic and i think the
alernative ending was better and i think they should of put the deleted
scenes in the movie. It was an awsome movie that i give a 100 percent

heather
score = 80
i really liked your movie. i was very cool. i really liked the way she got
slashed and stuff. i very much enjoyed the way in the middle how she turned
in to a man then back in to her self. over all the movie was great!!

jgonzalez-chicago

i
loved that movie it was better then the exorcist and the exorcist was the
bomb back then.

Ryan
score = None
so lousy that it became the first movie in history i ever walked out on

Unknown

score
= 100

the
movie is a haunting twisted yet fascinating movie I was very captivated my
the mysticism of the whole thing and the soundtrack is great